Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Regulations and Government

Deadline Near for FAA Certificate Holders Outside U.S.

After July 7, pilots, mechanics, and other airmen will be subject to enforcement action
Pilot
Avionics

Garmin Unveils Next Avionics Suite: G5000 Prime

New avionics join G3000 Prime to serve transport-category market
Garmin G5000 Prime avionics
Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Begins PW500 Overhauls in Nebraska

First engine will be tested in a test cell, then added to company’s rental pool
Duncan Aviation engine technician Teddy Tesfaye
Maintenance and Modifications

Haven Aviation Adds Green Bay Facility to MRO Network

New base expands service to Upper Midwest-based customers
Haven MRO Green Bay, Wisconsin
Rotorcraft

Garmin Helicopter Autopilot Certified in Robinson R66 

A new training program will help pilots make the most of the new flight control system
Robinson R66 NxG helicopter Garmin autopilot
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Opens New Brazil Subsidiary

Brazil has largest helicopter fleet in the region
Rotortrade do Brasil
Aircraft

Otto’s Phantom Bizjet Promises Midsize Performance and Comfort

All-composite light jet will feature windowless cabin
Otto Aviation's Phantom 3500 business jet
Maintenance and Modifications

Pinnacle Aviation Buys Mx Provider Aviation One

Purchase enables company to offer retail aircraft maintenance services in U.S. Southwest
Pinnacle Aviation Maintenance
Maintenance and Modifications

ExecuJet MRO Completes 120-month Check on Legacy 500

Work involved major disassembly of the airframe
ExecuJet MRO Services Australia and Embraer team
Maintenance and Modifications

Hartzell Lengthens Warranty on Props for Raisbeck King Airs

Extension goes to six years or 4,000 flight hours, whichever is first
King Air
Airports

Chicago Midway Decommissioning Closed Runway 13L-31R

The project will add holding, parking, and deicing areas to what is now Taxiway H
Chicago Midway Airport
Maintenance and Modifications

Jet Parts, DAS Aviation Merger To Improve Efficiency

Combines component repair and overhaul and parts services companies
DAS Aviation component repair
Rotorcraft

Los Angeles Police Dept Puts VR Simulator to Work

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic
LAPD helicopter crew
Rotorcraft

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights
Sweet Helicopters Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Engines

Williams Int’l Building Turbine Engine Factory in Florida

New facilities represent an investment of more than $1 billion
Williams International FJ44 turbine engine
Operations

Garmin SmartCharts Revamp Flight Procedures Process

Move adds company to terminal procedures charting market
FAA vs Garmin SmartCharts
Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency
Airbus Helicopters Niagara distribution center
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM
Leonardo AW109E VIP by Rotortrade
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

NBAA Appauds Passage of Bizav-friendly Budget Bill

Majority of aviation funding would bolster air traffic control system
U.S. Capitol at night
Aircraft

One Year Later, Gulfstream Delivers 50th G700

Fleet has logged more than 11,000 hours so far
Gulfstream G700 business jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Viasat Improves Satcom Coverage in Middle East, South America

JetXP offers uncapped speed and new service enhancements
Viasat global director Claudio D’Amico
Aircraft

First Production Global 8000 Takes to the Skies

Next steps are completion, then entry into service later this year
Bombardier global 8000 business jet
Safety

Aviators Invited to FAA Notam Reform User Forum

Plans are to outline upcoming improvements to this important safety system
Notices to Airmen FAA search page
Safety

Senator Wants FAA To Eliminate Class B ADS-B Exemptions

Bill would require that aircraft flying near major metro areas use ADS-B Out and In
Aerial view of Washington Reagan National Airport (KDCA)
Maintenance and Modifications

Avcon STCs Multiple Mods on Special-mission King Air

Aircraft is for National Science Foundation-University of Wyoming environmental research
National Science Foundation-University of Wyoming environmental research King Air airplane
Rotorcraft

Rain Tests Autonomous Black Hawk on Burning Brush

Two weeks of testing highlighted the value of quick-reaction fire suppression
Autonomous Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter tackles brush fires
Aircraft

Spike Aerospace Resurfaces Supersonic Bizjet Candidate

S-512 promises “low-boom” Mach 1.6 travel
Spike Aerospace S-512 supersonic business jet
Avionics

Acron Aviation Demos SafeRoute+ ADS-B In Solutions

Pilots report improved situational awareness with in-cockpit traffic display
Acron Aviation SafeRoute+ ADS-B In airline retrofit
Rotorcraft

FAA Concerned about Bell 206L Vertical Vibrations

Pilots need to know to pull collective to eliminate so-called collective bounce
Van Horn Aviation collective bounce
Operations

Avincis Sends CL-415s To Fight Fires in Israel

Amphibious fire bombers are part of a fleet of 18 based in Italy
Avincis CL-415 Super Scooper aircraft